Timely lift for Latics

IMPROVING: Neal Eardley – named in Wales senior squad.

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ATHLETIC’S injured players are winning their battles for fitness in time for Saturday’s opening Coca-Cola League One fixture against Stockport County.

And Neal Eardley, one of their three worries, has been given an added incentive as the 20-year-old has been named in the Wales squad for next Wednesday’s friendly against Montenegro in Podgorica.

Eardley’s knee is responding well to treatment. He needs to play in the Stockport game in order to be available for the international fixture and add to the 10 full caps he has already won.

Athletic will suffer from Eardley’s international call-up, however, as it means he won’t be available for next Tuesday’s Carling Cup-tie at Carlisle.

Eardley, who missed Saturday’s final friendly against Blackpool, has been suffering from tendonitis.

Athletic are lucky to have plenty of cover at right-back. Andy Holdsworth is likely to take over should Eardley be absent, while Kelvin Lomax can also play in that position.

Eardley, Joe Jacobson and Jon Worthington all seem to be winning their fitness fights in the build-up to the big kick-off.

All three were hoping to resume training today.

Jacobson has a stomach/groin muscle injury sustained against Middlesbrough, while Worthington limped out of Saturday’s game against Blackpool with a tight hamstring.

The availability of the three players would mean that manager Dave Penney is likely to abort plans to bring in replacements on short-term emergency loans.

Athletic assistant manager Martin Gray and goalkeeping coach Andy Collett were at Manchester United last night for the Reds’ friendly against Valencia.

They would have been impressed with young midfield player Tom Cleverley, scorer of the second goal in a 2-0 victory.

United manager Sir Alex Ferguson revealed he would consider loaning Cleverley again to in order to give the youngster more experience.

The 19-year-old had a lengthy spell at League One side Leicester City last season.